Communication Difficulties and Autism
Autism is a disorder that affects many different aspects of the child's development. Symptoms may shift and change as the individual grows older, with some appearing later in life and some gradually disappearing (Frith, 1996). The major difficulties affecting individuals with autism are categorized under four headings: (1) impaired relationships; (2) communication difficulties; (3) obsessions and right behaviour; and, (4) idiosyncratic development (Ellis, 1990). Diagnosis is generally performed by referring to Wing's triad of impairments which includes these major difficulties.
Each of these problems can have a major impact on the life of the child and adult affected by it. In this essay, the focus is on communication difficulties. The essay is organized to discuss the major potential problems with communication that might affect an individual with autism first. The latter part of the essay is focused on one pupil from the Centre, his communication difficulties, and a program for supporting him in communicating more effectively in a given situation.
Potential Communication Problems and Some Examples
In some respects, all the problems that affect individuals with autism lead to communication problems. For example, some of the behaviors, such as echopractice or repetitive behavior, are alienating to many people. This limits the potential for communication and the development of relationships. However, there are a number of problems that are specific to verbal and nonverbal communication.
Many individuals with autism are mute. This does not mean, however, that they do not understand language. There have been many instances in which those individuals have been able to communicate in writing that they comprehend language quite well. Tinbergen (1983), for example, related the story of a woman, a mute artist who could type, who described to them how she deliberately played dum...